Editing Dutch Ambassador Welcome kit

Inspired by the Belgian new ambs kit   

==Warm welcome==

You reading this is good news! Everytime someone reads this [[Dutch Ambassador Welcome kit]] it means our active cs family is growing! From now on you’re an official cs Ambassador. In order to help you with your new tasks as an Ambassador this document contains heaps of helpful information.  Here  you’ll read what it entails to be an efficient cs Ambassador, how the [[Netherlands]] CS organisation works, and some tips on how to stay in the right shape! We advise to read it carefully and thoroughly.

==What it entails be a CouchSurfing ambassador==

Being an ambassador in the [[Netherlands]] should be a fun and interesting experience to be enjoyed. This document contains a the guidelines, but as most things in life it’s what you make of it yourself. 

===Description===

First and foremost Ambassadors promote the values that embody the Couchsurfing Spirit. City Ambassadors are also the voice and ear to their local community, and source of information for all the members of their local community. 

===Responsibilities===

Most City Ambassadors contribute at least 10 hours per month but this varies greatly from person to person. We want to make sure all Ambassadors love what they do. Please always feel free to ask for help, ask your other city ambassadors in the group or send a private mail to your country ambassador. 

The '''role''' of the City Ambassadors is to be of service to CouchSurfing members and to be of service to the local community. Ambassadors are volunteers committed to helping others. 

'''As travellers, hosts, surfers, and volunteers, Ambassadors strive to'''
* Promote respect and tolerance for individuals and cultures 
* Promote cultural diversity and awareness 
* Promote equality, inclusiveness, and friendship 
* Promote honesty and fairness 

'''In addition, in our role as volunteers Ambassadors strive to:''' 
* Promote personal and professional integrity 
* Promote the pursuit of excellence 
* Promote teamwork 

'''Ambassadors Code of Conduct'''
Our behaviour as travellers, guests, hosts, and volunteers is a direct reflection on CouchSurfing. Therefore Ambassadors will be held to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. Ambassadors must agree to the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/amb_ethics.html code of conduct]

==Duties City ambassador==

There are four levels of ambassadorship: [http://www.couchsurfing.com/amb_levels.html City, Country, Global  and Nomadic]. The duties of city ambassadorship is defined below. The explanations of the other [http://www.couchsurfing.com/amb_levels.html levels of ambassadorship] can be found on [http://www.couchsurfing.com/amb_levels.html the couch surfing website]. If you have any questions feel free to contact another ambassador (country or other). 

It could be that your community is already active and has ambassador(s), in that case we recommend you to contact your fellow city Ambassadors and see where you can help out. 
There’s a possibility that you might be the first ambassador of a city (check the [[Dutch Ambassadors ]]wiki). In that case we recommend you to contact a nearby fellow ambassador or an ambassador mentor and ask them any questions you have. They are more then willing to help you out. 

===Organise local events=== 
Most active communities are organising meetings. This could be a set weekly meeting ([[Amsterdam]] Friday), ([[Rotterdam]] Tuesday and Saturday) or a monthly meeting ([[Utrecht]], [[Enschede]], [[Maastricht]], [[Amersfoort]] or [[Groningen]]) or just random meetings as in [[The Hague]]. 

There are many ways to set up a meeting. For tips and tricks check [http://www.couchsurfing.com/wiki/How_to_make_a_good_meeting how to make a good meeting page].

=== Moderator of your City group ===
A new CS city amb should become moderator of his/her city group. This does not happen automatically. You kindly need to ask the moderators of your city group to make you co-moderator. Moderators can be your fellow city Ambassadors or it can be a normal moderator who once started the group. If they don´t add you to the group or you get a negative response send a message to [http://www.couchsurfing.com/contact.html Contact Us] and explain the situation. 

Your role as a moderator is firstly to provide visitors of the group a quick access to the ambassadors in your City. Secondly, City Ambassadors are responsible in keeping their local community alive, providing info and more. This includes defining group guidelines, managing/raising polls and establishing Google events calendars if required.

=== Communication ===
There are many ways to communicate with your fellow active members. The idea is to build up or keep continuing a strong local community. It might therefore be essential to keep your fellow active members involved and informed about new events, meetings and other initiatives.  

=== New member welcome ===
A good way for an ambassador to welcome new members in your community is by joining the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=3581 new member welcome group]. Through the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=3581 new member welcome group]you’re able to find out which new members have joined your community. To warmly welcome new members and show them what is happening in your community with a welcome message can be appropriate. 

Once you join the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=3581 new member welcome group] you will receive extra tools on your profile to send out welcome messages.

=== Visit other local meetings ===
You’re always welcome to visit any of the local meetings. May you be looking for some new ideas, want to get to know your fellow active members, please do not hesitate to visit one of the local meetings.  

=== Participate in the Netherlands CS organisation === 
Together with all the ambassadors we work on building this sustainable network, the Netherlands CS organisation. All ambassadors and active CS members who are interested are welcome to join. For more info on the Netherlands CS organisation check below.

=== Ambassador groups ===

As an ambassador you automatically become member of:
*[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=2125 Ambassador’s Public]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=1668 Ambassadors Private]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=4407 City Ambassadors (if you have become a city ambassador)]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=4410 Nomadic Ambassadors (if you have become a Nomadic ambassador)]

Feel free to explore the topics that are discussed in these groups. A good start are the flagged posts of the Ambassador’s Public and of Ambassador’s Private groups.

=== Extra Features on CS website ===
Ambassadors get acces to some extra features on the CS website. 

*First, you get an extra [http://www.couchsurfing.com/ambassadors_home.html Amb tab] in your navigation. This amb page gives all the information about ambassadorship and other ambassadors in the world and includes the groups of your community. 
*Second, you can check where recent sign ups heard about CS in the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/amb_where_hear.html where did recent sign ups hear about CS?] page. You also see this feature on CS profiles in the personal info.   
*Third, as an ambassador you now have extra possibilities with [http://www.couchsurfing.com/statistics.html the statistics]. As an amb you can check more specific regional statistics, per country. There is a selection box on the top of the page where you can select your country of choice (for instance, the Netherlands). 
*Fourth, you can mark CS profiles as having an [http://www.couchsurfing.com/exotic_couches.html exotic couch]. When a CS member lives in a places which brings a special element to a CS experience you can mark his/her couch as [http://www.couchsurfing.com/exotic_couches.html exotic]. For instance when somebody lives in a boat or in a remote area in the nature this could be an [http://www.couchsurfing.com/exotic_couches.html exotic couch]. People who look for special CS experiences can look up these members. 

Explore the features and use them for you community.  

== The Netherlands CS organisation ==
The Netherlands CS organisation team meets approximately once every three months. All the minutes of the Netherlands CS organisation you can find in the in the Dutch ambassadors wiki and in the Netherlands CS organisation wiki. Please read all the meeting minutes, they contain valuable information!!

You’re automatically enrolled in this group after you have obtained your Ambassadors status. You’re more than welcome to participate in any of the upcoming meetings.

In order to collaborate efficiently and effectively, the Netherlands CS organisation uses various communication tools: 
* [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=5031 The Netherlands CS organisation group]: Discussions, remaining in touch and exchange of ideas. New ambassadors and active CS members will be added to the list 
* [http://groups.google.com/group/couchsurfingnl?hl=en The Netherlands CS google group]:  All CS NL documents should be sent/posted here. New ambassadors and active CS members will be added to the list. 
* The[[ Netherlands ]]wiki: It’s an open source of information and can be used and adapted even when the site is down. Feel free to add information (especially in the [[Dutch Ambassadors]]).
* [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=couchsurfingnl%40gmail.com&ctz=Europe/Amsterdam The Netherlands CS google calendar]: All events happening in the Netherlands can be found in the google calender  
* Datum prikker: used for setting up new meetings

=== Other Netherlands Ambassadors ===
There are Ambassadors in all regions of the Netherlands. The [[Dutch Ambassadors]] and information about the CS NL organisation meetings (minutes) can both be found in the [[Dutch Ambassadors ]]wiki. Once again, please read all the meeting minutes, they contain valuable information!!

Everyone is encouraged to be on the lookout for people that would make a great ambassador or be valuable on a working group, and encourage them to apply or join!

=== Ambassador mentor ===

As a new ambassador we understand that you might still have questions after reading the Dutch ambassador welcome kit. To help you with any questions you might still have, there are 3 ambassador mentors. We divided the country up in North, Middle and South. Each ambassador mentor is a mentor to new ambassadors in his or her region. 

The regions are divided accordingly:
*North (Friesland/Groningen/Drenthe/Overijssel): 		[http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/gpikkio Giuseppe (GPIKKIO)]
*Middle (Noord-Holland/Zuid-Holland/Utrecht/Flevoland)		[http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/lizzie82ish Liza (LIZZIE82ISH)]
*South (Zeeland/Brabant/Limburg/Gelderland): 			[http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/lourenssenm Maikel (LOURENSSENM)]

Feel free to contact them if you have any questions

=== Tips for meet ups & activities === 
I am sure you already have a great deal of experience in organising meetings and events. The possible fellow Ambs in your city will probably have a way of organising things. It would be good to contact them about their plans.  

In the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/wiki/How_to_make_a_good_meeting how to make a good meeting page] you can find extra tips and tricks on organising meetings and events.   

CS has business cards you can customize and have printed or print yourself. This is a great help while promoting CouchSurfing. Simply [http://www.couchsurfing.com/business_cards.html download a file from here] and print out on your own.

==Dealing with security issues and problem resolution procedures, etc.==

VERY IMPORTANT before posting ANYTHING linking to a member read this one: [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=1668&post=1278659 Reminder about user privacy]

Basically the approach to any problems you might have would be to either directly contact your Country Ambassador or send a message to a member of the Leadership Team using the standard [http://www.couchsurfing.com/contact.html Contact Us form].

DO NOT USE THE GROUPS!!! 

Most often a member of the Contact Team will then advise you of the next steps to take or of the answer you need. Familiarise yourself with the contents of the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/contact.html Contact Us form] including familiarity with the range of items in the pull down menu labled Communication Type. 


For problems (you have) with another member of CouchSurfing you can directly contact he Member Dispute Safety Team (MDST) by selecting "Problem with another member" in the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/contact.html Contact Us form].

=== Dealing with crimes such as: theft, abuse, and/or any forms of harassment. === 
What are the official procedures, whom do we contact, and in what order? 
Be prepared! Read the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/tips.html Tips for Surfers and Hosts]. 
* If necessary contact the local police / ambulance USE YOUR COMMON SENSE!! 
* If other couchsurfers are involved, contact the Safety Administrator through the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/contact.html Contact Us form]. Tell them as many details as possible about your experience. CouchSurfing will investigate and determine the best course of action. If necessary leave a negative reference. 
* Dealing with Dating requests: see [http://couchwiki.org/en/Handling_dating_requests Handling Dating Requests]

== Useful Links ==
:[[Dutch Ambassador Welcome kit]] (this Document)
: [[Dutch Ambassadors ]]wiki
: [[Netherlands ]]wiki
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=5031 The Netherlands CS organisation group]
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/amb_levels.html The Levels of ambassadorship]
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=3581 New member welcome group]
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/contact.html Contact Us form]
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/wiki/Answers_to_some_common_Contact_Us_Questions Frequently Asked Questions]
:[http://groups.google.com/group/couchsurfingnl?hl=en CS NL google group]
:[http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=couchsurfingnl%40gmail.com&ctz=Europe/Amsterdam CS NL google calendar]

== Don’t worry be happy ==
Being an Ambassador can be a bit overwhelming. It’s really important that you have as much fun as possible. Hereby some small remarks on how to avoid stress as an ambassador:
* Do what you love. Volunteering is meant to be fun. If greeting turns you on, greet. If you love to host, host. If you enjoy taking people out and about, do that! Whatever floats your boat: every contribution counts! 
* Recharge your batteries. If you start feeling drained, take a break. 
* Network. Share ideas, thoughts and frustrations with other CSers you get along with. 
* Portion Control. Basically, don't bite of more than you can chew. You might get a nasty case of indigestion! 
* Participate. Join the discussions and make your voice heard. 

= Good luck!= 
We wish you all the best. We’re a team all together so if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact one of us. We hope to see you around! The Netherlands is smaller then you think!

[[Category:CS Organization Netherlands]]
[[Category:Netherlands]]